Thread cutter for looms



Patented Nov. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATI-:s

1,647,702 PATENT-oFl-ics- VICTOR H. JENNINGS, OF"WOIL{CESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CROMPTON & KNOWLEVS LOOM WORKS, lW'ORC'E*STERl MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

THREAD CUTTER FOR LOOMS.

This invention relates to a thread cutter capable of general application but particularly designed for use on shuttle changing looms. The thread cutter is preferably of the type which is normall-y maintained in inoperative forward position and in which the thread cutter is released to move rearwardly and engage the lay upon change of shuttles. A

It has been found that such thread cutters are occasionally broken by engagementof the cutter by a shuttle which has entered the shuttle boX just far enought to raise the protector but not far enought to clear the thread cutter. rIhe shuttle then forces the thread cutter forward beyond its usual inoperative position, causing a portion of the thread cutter to engage the breast beam and frequently causing breakage by such engagenient.

It is the general object of my invention to improve the construction of such thread cutters by making provision to prevent damage under the conditions above set forth. In the carrying out of this object, I preferably provide a member engaged by the lay and effective to move the thread cutter forward when thus engaged but also freely movable rearward relative to the thread cutter, when the thread cutter is moved forward to an extreme position by engagement with a misplaced shuttle.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will as be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred forni of the invention is shown in the drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved 4o thread cutter;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the parts in a different position; and

Fig 4 is a perspective view of the engaging member.

Referring to the drawings, I have indicated a lay 10, and abreast beam 11 on which is mounted a stand 12. The stand 12 may be adjusted on the breast beam 11 but is held thereon in fixed position. A cutter slide 13 is mounted in bearings in the stand 12 and is pressed yieldingly rearward by a coil spring 14. The cutting jaws 5f are mounted on the. rear end of the slide' 13-and are actuated byl a second sliding rod I15,/also pressed yieldingly rearward by a coil A'spring 16.

.'lhe thread' cutter is normally withdrawn toinoperative forward position by a cord or. iexible connection 17 passing over a guide pulley 18 and connected to the shuttle changing mechanism in such a way that the cutter is. released for operation Aat each change of shuttles but is held out of operation. between the shuttle changes. 'lhe mechanism thus .far described forms in itself no part of my ,present invention. For anmore complete description of the construction and operation thereof, reference is made to the co-pending application of Jennings and lVatson, Serial No. 758,010, filed December 26, 1924. I have made special provision for engaging the thread cutter by the lay and for 75 moving'the cutter forward to cut the thread. For this purpose I provide an engaging member 2O (Fig. 4) having a down-turned front end 21 and an upturned rear portion 22 and having the general shape of a letter S. This member 20 is slidable in a guideway 23 on the side of the cutter slide 13 and the rear portion 22 engages a shoulder or abutment 24 on the slide. rIhe usual operation of the device is as indicated in Fig. 2. After the thread out# tei' has been released and has moved yieldingly rearward to meet the advancing lay, the downtui'ned end 21 is engaged by the lay and the cutter is moved forward and is thus operated to cut the thread in the usual manner. Under these conditions the entire operation of the thread cutter is exactly the same as in the prior application above noted.

If, however, the thread cutter is engaged 96 by a misplaced shuttle S, as indicated in Fig. 3, the cutter slide 13 will be forced forward beyond its usual limits of travel and the portion 21 of the engaging member will strike against the fiXed breast beam 11. 100 When such engagement occurs, breakage of the parts is avoided by the fact that the member 20 is free to slide rearward in its guideway 23. The member 2O is moved rearward relative to the slide 13 to the po- 105 sition indicated in Fig. 3 and all parts of the mechanism are thus preserved from damage. Upon the next operation. of the thread cutter, the portion 21 engages the lay 10 in the usual way and no resetting or rearrang- 110 ing of the parts is required. I have thus provided an exceedingly simple construction by which the breakage of parts heretofore experienced is entirely prevented.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed otherwise than as set forth in the claims, lout what I claim is l. A thread cutter for looms comprising a stand, a cutter slide, and a member positioned for engagement by a forwardly moving lay to move said slide to withdrawn position, said member also being movable rearwardly relative to said slide when said slide is advanced beyond its usual limits of travel by engagement with a misplaced shuttle.

2. A. thread cutter for looms comprising a stand, a cutter slide, and a hook-sha ed connecting member mounted on said side and having a depending portion engaged bythe lay below the shuttle race to move said slide forward, said member being also movable freely rearward relative to said slide.

3. A thread cutter for looms comprising a stand, a cutter slide, and a member mounted on said slide and engaged by the lay to move said slide forward,said` member being freely slidable rearwardly relative to said slide when said slide is pushed forward beyond its normal limit of travel.

4. A thread cutter for looms comprising a stand,` a. cutter slide, and a member mounted on said slide and engaged by the lay to move said slide forward, said member beingslidably mounted on said slide and having a down-turned front end engaged by the lay to move said slide forward and having an up-turned rear portion engaging an abutment on said slide tolimit forward movement of said member relative to saidslide.

In ktestimony lwhereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

VICTOR H. JENNINGS. 

